Lunch Time

"Dear Lord,"

"Thank you for this food"

"Amen!!!!"

What's Been Happening

Winter has ended and spring has finally come. This winter we had more snow than we've ever had in the past nine years. Needless to say, we are really enjoying the blue skies, dry ground and warmer temperatures. It was a long winter, but we have seen so many blessing during it!

Since December, we have been seeing new people in church almost every week! It has been amazing. Whole families, single moms, children, and lots of guys! Our church is growing and we are literally running out of chairs! This is encouraging to all of us. During the past month Jake and Anya hosted Sunday lunches at their house. This came at a perfect time. It meant for great fellowship with all the new people who have been coming. Thanks Anya for all that good cooking!

The weekly ministries to the mental hospital and orphanage are also going well. Conor constantly says how blessed he is to serve with the people in our church at these places. Please continue to pray for the children to grow in the Lord and for those who do not know Christ to come to know him and receive His love for them.

Gavin and Emma also grew a lot this winter. We've been homeschooling and really learning a lot together. Gavin is finally enjoying reading and we're having a lot of fun reading together. Our favorite part of school is Bible. I love it when the kids constantly ask for more! Praise God for their passion for His Word! Emma turned five last month. She recently started taking violin lessons. God blessed her with an amazing teacher and she is really enjoying learning something new. Our newest little member of the family is growing well and we are all anxiously awaiting her arrival!

Here are a few pictures of the last few months. We love you all so much! Thank you for all your prayers. We are very blessed by all the Lord has done and is doing. Please keep praying for Chernigov. Pray that this springtime would be a time of new birth and growth for many!

Ukrainian Genocide: Holodomor

On Saturday I took Allyson to Kiev for a quick visit of the city. While we were there we came across a huge memorial service. Thousands of people from all over Ukraine were meeting in Kiev to remeber those killed during the forced famine ordered by Joseph Stalin from 1932-1933. Only one year ago today, was Holodomor finally recognized by the government as genocide. These are a few pictures of what we saw in Kiev. If you are interested in reading more about the famine, click here. As you think about those who died, please remember those who are dying here today. There are millions of people in Ukraine who do not know Christ. They are sick and tired and starving for a Savior. Please pray for the souls of Ukraine.

Time with Allyson

On Gavin's birthday we drove to Kiev to pick up a very special friend at the airport. Allyson flew in from Turkey to spend Thanksgiving with us. I have known Allyson since she was one year old. It was so fun to have such an old and dear friend here. The kids will definitely miss having her around. She was constantly entertaining them and of course she brought them gifts which always catches their hearts.

Allyson lives and works in Turkey. On Sunday she shared with our church about her life there, the friends she is making and all that is happening there. We were greatly blessed by her testimonies.

Allyson, thank you for coming. You are missed already. We can't wait to see you in January!

7 Great Years

I love you too my boy! God has blessed us with a wonderful marriage. So many wonderful memories! These are some pictures I dug up to celebrate our special day, only a few of the happy times we've had. I looked forward to a million more! I love you!

Remembering Grandpa

One year ago today we said goodbye to my dad. We said goodbye and let him go. He went home. He went home to be with his Father, his Savior, His Lord. At that moment my heart felt as if it had been crushed, but my soul rejoiced. My dad was healed. He was given a new body free from all pain. I miss my dad terribly, but this one thing gives me peace and joy. He is healed. He is sitting at the feet of Jesus and he is whole. His only concern is Jesus, His only thought is God.

I often find myself thinking of my dad, wondering what he is doing at that very moment. I always picture him sitting at his drums with his head back, his eyes closed and his arms flailing all around, leading the beat of the angels praises to God!

Today I am sad because I can’t hug my dad. I can’t feel his scratchy wiskers on my cheek, I can’t smell his scent. I can’t see his smile or hear his laugh. But, I can remember the time he prayed with me, sitting on his lap, to ask Jesus into my heart. I can remember hundreds of family dinners that ended in laughter-induced stomachaches. I remember several Christmas mornings driving around looking for an open restaurant for breakfast. I remember his voice change on the phone when I told him I was getting married and I remember the look on his face when he saw me in my wedding dress. I remember the proud smile on his face when he first saw Gavin, and then again with Emma. I remember him playing drums, eyes closed, worshipping the Lord for almost 30 years. I think of all these things and realize that the list is endless.

A couple of weeks ago Gavin asked me if we could listen to “grandpa’s music.” A few years ago my dad recorded an album with the praise band and choir from Fellowship in the Pass. We hadn’t listened to it in quite a while so we were excited to turn it on and listen together. Emma asked me to dance so I scooped her up and within a couple of minutes I was weeping out loud. I looked at Gavin, his face was wet with tears and he wanted to be a part of the dance. As I turned to look at Conor he was coming up behind us, tears flowing, also wanting to be part of our dance. We danced and sang and cried together for most of the album. I am so blessed to have my dad’s music. I am blessed to have so many beautiful memories of my dad praising God. He loved to worship God.

This video clip is Gavin and Emma dancing. Right on the other side of the door, my dad was playing the drums. We could hear him loud and clear and the kids joined right in. This was the last time he played the drums for church. He worshiped God until the very end. That is how I remember my dad. I pray that Gavin and Emma would remember this too. And I pray that like my dad, we would all worship Jesus until the very end.

Majesty, worship His Majesty! Unto Jesus be all Glory and Honor and Praise!!! Amen!

.

Mom & Sis

Emma, Grandma and Gavin in the back yard

Emma, Koren, Kylie, Gavin and Grandma at the ParkAuntie Kylie and Emma jogging in our woods

On June 19th the Lord blessed us with a special visit from Auntie Kylie and Grandma! Kylie was here for a couple of weeks and Grandma just left us a few days ago. It was Kylie's first time in Ukraine so we really enjoyed showing her our beautiful country. Grandma is an old friend in these parts and everyone was really happy to see her again. We loved having them both in our home, resting, hanging out, laughing, crying, and just being together. The Lord blessed us deeply with this sweet family time and we will be forever grateful!!! Mom and Kylie, We love you!!!